Abstract: Objective: To study the immunomodulatory and antioxidant effect of polysaccharides from Ganoderma atrum in immunosuppressed mice. Methods: Immunosuppressed mouse models were established by intrapefitoneal injection of cyclophosphamid. Forty-eight mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: blank control, positive control, model control, and high-, medium- and low-dose Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide groups. Ganoderma atrum polysaccharides were administrated by gavage at doses of 100, 50 mg/(kg•d) and 25 mg/(kg•d) to mice for 7 consecutive days, respectively. At 24 h after the last administration, the mice in each group was sacrificed and spleens were collected for the measurement of spleen index and the levels of spleen super-oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), maleic dialdehyd (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). Moreover, T and B lymphocyte proliferation was analyzed by MTT and the levels of TNF-α and IL-2 in spleen homogenate supernatant were assayed by ELISA. Results: Compared to control mice, Ganoderma atrum polysaccharides significantly improved mouse spleen index, promoted T and B lymphocyte proliferation, increased SOD, CAT and T-AOC levels, and reduced MDA content in mouse spleen, while only high and medium-dose groups indicated obviously improved TNF-α and IL-2 levels in spleen cells. Conclusions: Ganoderma atrum polysaccharides can effectively antagonize cyclophosphamide-induced immune suppression in mice and enhance antioxidant function in immunosuppressed mice.

Key words: polysaccharides from Ganoderma atrum, immunomodulatory effect, antioxidation